DEPARTMENT SHEEP
Judge: Caleb Durheim
Superintendent: Jeana Storms
Assistant Superintendent: Hannah Beck
Advisor: Erica Linnemeyer
GENERAL SHEEP SHOW RULES
A. 4-H entries must be made according to the printed 2026 Custer County Fair Premium Book and entered online by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. Instructions for online entries will be emailed to 4-H families on approximately May 15.
B. ARRIVAL TIME - Sunday, July 26, 12:00 noon - 3:30 p.m. All market lambs must be weighed-in 2:30-3:30 p.m. All market lambs must be shorn prior to the weigh-in on Sunday. All breeding sheep will be checked in immediately following weigh-in.
C. NUMBER OF EXHIBITS PER EXHIBITOR - A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting 3 market lambs and 2 breeding sheep.
D. RELEASE OF SHEEP EXHIBITS - Thursday, July 30, 8:00 a.m. except for market lambs going through the 4-H Livestock Sale.
E. SHOW SCHEDULE - The 4-H Sheep Show will be held on Monday, July 27, following the FFA Sheep Show. The FFA Sheep Show will begin at 4:00 p.m. The 4-H Sheep Show will not begin before 5:00 p.m., if the FFA Sheep Show is completed early.
F.SHOW ORDER - Senior showmanship, Junior showmanship, Pre-Junior showmanship, ram lambs, ewe lambs, yearling ewes, market lambs, club group of 5 market lambs.
G. USDA OFFICIAL IDENTIFICATION - All sheep exhibited at the Custer County Fair, MUST be tagged with an official USDA scrapie tag.
H.The use of showing and/or handling practices that may be considered objectionable or abusive, such as striking or slapping lambs and exhibiting the lamb with its front feet off the ground, are not acceptable. The use of such practices may result in the lowering of a ribbon placing. (Lifting the lamb in a fluid motion to set the front legs prior to quickly setting the feet back on the ground is acceptable.)
I. Club Lamb Fungus - Club lamb fungus disease is a health problem encountered mostly in sheep being exhibited at fairs and other shows. This disease appears to be contagious to humans and other animals. Club lamb fungus disease has several names including woolrot, lumpy wool, ovine ringworm, and ovine dermatophytosis. It is caused by a fungus that is a member of the genus Trichophyton. This disease appears to be the most contagious form of fungal disease in sheep.
Club or show lambs are more likely to contract the disease because frequent shampooing and washing for show removes lanolin from wool and skin. Frequent shearing also contributes to the disease as wool and lanolin are removed. Nicks and cuts caused by shearing allow the skin to become infected. Animals without a protective lanolin layer and with some form of skin damage are much more likely to become infected if the fungus is present.
If you suspect sheep (market and/or breeding) that are entered for county fair to be infected with club lamb fungus, please contact your veterinarian. If any sheep (market and/or breeding) have an active case of club lamb fungus, they will not be allowed to be shown at the county fair. Sheep showing symptoms of club lamb fungus must have a veterinarian’s written statement verifying the club lamb fungus is inactive and not contagious to be able to be shown at the county fair. The veterinarian’s written statement must be presented to Extension Staff or the Superintendent at weigh-in on Sunday. Blankets and covers must be removed for inspection at weigh-in for market lambs and for check-in for breeding sheep.
Ribbons P. B. R. W.
$6.00 $5.00 $4.00 $3.00
SHEEP SHOWMANSHIP - Exhibitors must be pre-entered for showmanship classes. 4-H entries must be made according to the printed 2026 Custer County Fair Premium Book and entered online by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. Instructions for online entries will be emailed to 4-H families on approximately May 15.
CLASS G130001 Senior Showmanship (14 and older before January 1)
CLASS G130002 Junior Showmanship (11 - 13 years of age before January 1)
CLASS G130003 Pre-Junior Showmanship (8 - 10 years of age before January 1)
MARKET LAMBS
MARKET LAMB SHOW RULES
A. DEFINITION OF MARKET LAMBS-Sheep born after January 1, 2026 are classified as lambs. Wether and ewe lambs are eligible for market classes. Short scrotum, cryptorchid, or ram lambs are not eligible as market lambs.
B. WEIGHING AND IDENTIFICATION OF MARKET LAMBS-Market lambs will be weighed on Sunday, July 26, 2:30-3:30 p.m. At weigh-in time, market lambs will be dry, have all covers removed, and have been sheared within the previous 10 days.
C. MARKET CLASSES-All market lambs entered will be shown as individuals. Superintendents reserve the right to break classes according to weight.
D. All market lambs sold at the 4-H & FFA Livestock Auction or base bid, MUST be tagged with a scrapie tag.
CLASS G131001 Market Lambs (All Breeds)
CLASS G131002 Club Group of Five Market Lambs (one group per club)
BREEDING EWES
BREEDING EWE SHOW RULES
A. AGE CLASSIFICATION OF BREEDING EWES - Ewes born 9/1/2025, or after are classed as lambs. Ewes born between 9/1/2024 and 8/31/2025 will be classed as yearlings. Ewes born prior to 9/1/2024 are ineligible to show. All breeding ewes will be mouthed for age. All ewe lambs must have all lamb or temporary teeth present; yearling ewes can have yearling teeth, but cannot have two-year old teeth up. Ewes exhibiting two-year old teeth will be allowed to show, but will not be eligible to compete for championship. Classes may be divided at discretion of show management.
CLASS G132001 Ewe Lambs - Born 9/1/2025 and after
CLASS G132002 Yearling Ewes - Born 9/1/2024 to 8/31/2025
BREEDING RAMS
CLASS G133001 Ram Lambs - Born 9/1/2025 and after
A Pee Wee Sheep Lead Class will be held at the conclusion of the Sheep Show. This will be a class for pre-4-H’ers to lead a sheep, with the aid of the owner, and receive a ribbon. Sheep used in the Pee Wee Sheep Lead Class will need to be haltered. Sheep used for the Pee Wee Sheep Lead Class must be sheep that were shown at the Custer County Fair. Premium money is not awarded for this class.